first language

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“In many ways, Steven’s first language is cinema, and Steven’s second language is existing in the real world,” she says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Some were less comfortable with the possibility of false positives, since there are often autistic people, or users whose first language isn’t English, whose writing styles are stigmatized as A.I.-like.

From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026

Colleagues who speak a number of different languages, including French, Italian, Arabic and Urdu, can help with making calls when English isn't a person's first language.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

The viewer snaps back to reality and remembers that, like Foster, Lilian is American, and her first language is English.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2026

Today, by far the largest number of people whose first language is English live in North America, with others scattered over the globe in Britain, Australia, and other countries.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond